tea

My list of 21 comforting things

Published January 27, 2011 | By Debra

On this cold winter day, relax and think about and do things that comfort you. Get all warm and cozy. Brew that cup of tea. Curl up on your comfy couch. Get out that book, magazine, or journal. Just be. Dream. Ahhh……..

My list of things that give me comfort:

My old fleece unicorn blanket that I have had since college (a very long time ago now)
My soft green bathrobe
Making soup!
lit candles
crackling fire in fireplace
Cinammon sticks, cloves, and apple slices in water simmering on stovetop
Good coffee or tea
Warm milk
My fuzzy socks
Having my cats, Patches and Mew close by
Having my fiance close by
Smiles and hugs
A good movie
watching the antics of birds and squirrels on feeders and bird bath in back patio
Poetry
Gentle stretching
Sunshine filtering through the window
Soft jazz music
Thinking about all the good I do and all the good that I Am
Thinking of all the good people out there and all of the good that they are doing
Knowing that this world isn’t so big after all: we have more in common with each other than differences, we are really not ever alone.

With love,

Debra : )

Herbs and Foods For Bedtime to promote a good night sleep

Published January 23, 2011 | By Debra

In the evening, try eating these foods:

bananas, toast, dates, figs, milk, almond milk, nut butter, tuna, turkey, whole grain crackers, and yogurt.

Herbs that are recommended by Drs. Phyllis A. Balch,CNC and James F. Balch, MD in their wonderful Natural health Guide, Prescription for

Nutritional Healing-

Take these at bedtime (in capsule or extract form):

California poppy
kava kava
lemon balm
passionflower
skullcap
valerian root

Catnip and chamomile have mild sedative properties and can be used occasionally in tea form. These doctors warn not to use chamomile on an ongoing basis and to avoid it all together if you are allergic to ragweed.

*Please always consult with your doctor before taking any kind of supplement.

Celebrating The Abundance Of The Fall Season

Published November 7, 2010 | By Debra

Here at the Warm Milk Journal we aspire to live the most fulfilling lives by day and sleep restfully at night.

I just love the Fall season and I think this season is the perfect time to work on these goals. As a kid, Fall was about new fresh beginnings: a new school year, new school supplies, new clothes, a new age (I am a September birthday).

As an adult I can appreciate so much more about this season such as:

The softer sun light
The cooler temperatures
Cooking and eating soup!
Blankets
Cups of tea and coffee
A hearty red wine at night
Rich colors of red and gold
Warmer bed linens for our beds
Cuddling with our sweetie to keep us warm
Football and good movies

As we fall back an hour this weekend, let’s enjoy the abundance this marvelous season has to offer us.

Debra : )

Midsummer: a good time to stop and smell the flowers

Published June 24, 2010 | By Debra

Summer: long days and gardens are in bloom. It is hot. What a wonderful time to slow down a bit and just be present and enjoy.

Here are 15 ideas to celebrate the season:

Consciously slow down and not be in a hurry today
Eat lunch or dinner outdoors. Al fresco restaurant dining or picnic!
Gather with good friends and just enjoy being together
Give your kids a hug
Tell your spouse or partner you live him/her
Give your spouse/partner flowers!
Go to the beach and just sit and listen to the ocean
take a walk in nature today
Take delight in life’s little pleasures today
Throw a garden party
Do afternoon tea with your daughter
Adorn your home with fresh flowers
Eat fresh seasonal fruits and vegetables
Visit and patronize your local farmers market
Make homemade ice cream

Debra : )

What comforts, nurtures, and soothes you?

Published June 21, 2010 | By Debra

Before you go to bed tonight, think about what comforts, nurtures and soothes you. What makes you feel all cozy and happy and secure inside? For that is a wonderful state to be in as you prepare for sleep. This would be a wonderful journal exercise.

Get out your journal and make a list. Write down as many things as you can think of. If this blog post were my journal this is the list I would come up with right now:

Petting my cat Mew
Taking a hot bath.
a glass of warm almond milk with a little spoonful of flax seed oil
tea (or coffee if not too late in the day). I’m really into Chai tea lately
soft socks
my lavender satiny robe from Victoria’s Secret
A good book (on my bedside currently: A Complaint Free World by Will Bowen and The Mastery of Love by Don Miguel Ruiz)
watching a good movie with my sweetie
cuddling and making love with my sweetie
a glass of wine (if not too late in the evening)
an evening stroll to the beach- especially when the moon is full (watching the moon rise on the Atlantic Ocean and then the subsequent moonlight flickering on the sea is beyond-words awesome!)
My home and especially my bedroom (where I create The Warm Milk Journal) : )
Smelling my little herb garden we have on our back patio
happy memories
inspirational and supportive tweets I get from friends, family, and fellow Twitters
sweet little notes I get from my second grade students
a smile on someone’s face
smiling at someone else
looking in the mirror and smiling back at my own beautiful reflection
Just focusing on the knowledge that God loves me and all is at it should be

Your turn…

Sweet dreams!

Debra : )

Getting in a cozy state for relaxation and sleep

Published May 25, 2010 | By Debra

What does the word “cozy” mean, anyway?

According to the dictionary at AudioEnglish.net, cozy as a noun means: ” a padded cloth covering to keep a teapot warm”.

We are not teapots, but we humans do need warmth and comfort, especially at bedtime.

As a verb, cozy can mean: “enjoying or affording comforting warmth and shelter especially in a small place” and “having or fostering a warm or friendly and informal atmosphere”. There is also a meaning of connivance such as “cozying up to somebody…”

I think for our Warm Milk Journal purposes the comforting warmth and shelter in a small place suits the bill just perfectly.

Hopefully we are doing all we can to make the rooms we sleep in feel warm and comforting. We just painted our bedroom last weekend and what a difference! It is this wonderful kind of beige and honey color. I feel so cozy in this room now.

Here are some ideas to get in a cozy state: physically, mentally, and spiritually:

Physical State of Coziness

How does your bedroom feel when you are in it? Are the colors soothing? Calming? Warm? Cozy?
Does the decor please your senses? Not too cluttered? Some flowers or plants? Take a look at your art work, your furniture, other little things you may have in this room: books, photos, candles, nicknacks etc. Everything in this room should really please you and make you feel like you are in a wonderful cocoon. This is your nest! This may very well be the most important room in your whole house or apartment for your health, well being, and happiness.
Is your bed comfortable? How are your linens? Do you choose soft and warm sheets and blankets during the cooler months and cool crisp lighter linens in the summer? What we sleep in makes a huge difference in the quality of our sleep.
Are you feeling pampered and cozy in what you are wearing to bed? Nice robes, lounge wear, pajamas- anything that makes you feel special, pampered, comfortable are in order here. This is a fun way to splurge a bit once in a while and get some nice things to wear to bed. Sleepwear will of course vary depending on what climate you live in and what time of year it is.
Candles and soft lighting cozy up the ambience of a bedroom.
I personally find not having a tv in my bedroom nice, but some of you may very well associate watching tv in bed a cozy thing. When I had a tv in our room I found it a bit cold to have that electronic appliance staring at me. Now in its place we have this beautiful gold and silver plate mirror which reflects the beautiful ocean painting we have over our headboard. Calm and cozy (and at times quite romantic).
Aromatherapy: our sense of smell is a very powerful thing and can be quite mood altering. This is a fun thing to experiment with.
Socks on your feet? I am one of those “cold” people-and always seem to want socks on my feet. But seriously, as I have been doing research for the Warm Milk Journal that does seem to come up frequently. Wearing socks helps us sleep better. And let’s face it, what is much cozier than a real nice soft pair of socks or booties to wear?
Air Temperature: You want to get this one right. You want it warm enough to feel warm and comfortable of course, but not too hot. Sleep experts say keeping our rooms slightly cool at night will help us sleep better.
Is there music that you can play as you are unwinding and preparing for sleep?
Warm beverages such as warm milk and tea are quite cozy and comforting!
Soups, miso broth, and light snacks may be just what you need to nourish your body into a cozy state.

Mental State of Coziness

Here are some things I associate with having a cozy state of mind:

Feeling at peace with self, others, and the world
Knowing you did your best today
Feeling loved and loving
Knowing you have taken care of your body by eating well and exercising and now it is time to rest
Feeling happy!
Having a sense of purpose and looking forward to the next day
If something is challenging you- taking comfort in the big picture and knowing that it will all work out. It will pass. You are safe.
Thinking of happy memories
Feeling gratitude
Picturing yourself as a beautiful adorable little child and knowing how loved you were and still are. Imagine giving your four year old self a big hug right now…

Spiritual State of Coziness

Know that God loves you
Feel the love and oneness of the universe and everything in it including wonderful you.
Meditate
Pray
Write in our journal
Be still
Be silent
Be in the Now
Do some yoga and gentle stretches
Read something spiritual
Think of ways to help, give, and love others
Accept and love yourself
As you drift off to sleep tonight, imagine the world that God would want for us..it is ours already.

Enjoy your cozy little nest.

Goodnight.

Debra : )

Does warm milk really induce sleep?

Published February 28, 2010 | By Debra

Warm milk does have small traces of calcium, tryptophan and melatonin- proteins and chemicals that are known to induce sleep. Mostly I think, though, we have warm comforting memories associated with milk. Mother’s milk. If it works, wonderful. I personally find warmed up almonds milk to be absolutely delicious and relaxing. Tea can have the same effect too. Perhaps just a warm beverage of any kind nurtures our bodies, spirits, and souls.

I read recently an article about couples who give their partners a warm beverage produce loving feelings in their partners. I know I feel loved and cared for when my partner brings me coffee in bed on a weekend morning. I sometimes do the same for him and serving him that warm beverage does induce i me very giving, loving feelings for him.

Sitting alone during a quiet time of meditation, I feel that I really am not alone with that warm cup of tea in my hands. God or spirit is with me…

In sum, a warm beverage such as warm milk, coffee, or tea can certainly be a comfort to us and help us to be calm, feel nurtured, and at peace. It is much easier to go back into a restful sleep in that relaxed state of mind.

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My list of 21 comforting things

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Herbs and Foods For Bedtime to promote a good night sleep

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